largest cruise ship built in finland

The World's Largest Cruise Ship Is Coming in January—Here's What It's Like Inside

By Jessica Puckett

The biggest thing to ever hit cruising is coming in January 2024, when Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas —which will be the largest cruise ship in the world —will debut to passengers for the first time.

With capacity for nearly 10,000 passengers and crew, Icon of the Seas is billed as part all-inclusive resort, part theme park, and a massive destination unto itself . Clocking in at 250,380 gross tons and measuring nearly a quarter mile long (1,198 feet to be exact), the vast ship will sport a total of 20 decks, 18 of which will be accessible to guests.

The ship will be divided into eight different “neighborhoods,” each with their own distinct atmospheres, dining options, and activities. “ Icon of the Seas is truly what we call a white paper ship,” Anna Drescher, manager of architectural design, new building and innovation for Royal Caribbean group, said in a video statement . “The reason that we call it that is we start with a blank sheet of sketch paper, so it truly is starting fresh.”

In June 2023, the ship hit a major milestone when it completed its first sea trials outside the shipyard in Turku, Finland. Next up is the colossal new ship’s first voyage, slated to depart on January 27, 2024. It will sail roundtrip from Miami to the Caribbean islands of St. Kitts, St. Thomas, and the Bahamas.

The ship's typical seven-day itineraries include three at-sea days, so passengers have time to fully enjoy the endless choices of amenities on board. “We want guests to walk up to the ship and just have this moment of: I can’t believe that’s where I’m going ,” said Jennifer Goswami, the line’s senior manager of product development.

Here's a look at the enormous scale of the new ship and what to expect on board.

When it begins sailing, the Icon of the Seas will offer a total of 2,805 staterooms that can hold 5,610 passengers at double occupancy, or a maximum of 7,600 guests. Passengers can choose from a whopping 28 different room types, including Sunset Suites with wraparound balconies and Family Infinite Balcony staterooms with bunkbeds fit for a family of up to six.

The largest suite on board will be the three-story, 1,772-square-foot “Ultimate Family Townhouse,” which comes with its own movie theater, ping-pong table, karaoke, and a slide between floors. It can sleep up to eight people and costs approximately $75,000 per week.

Among the eight "neighborhoods," or sections of the ship with distinct ambiance, are Central Park, which offers greenery and sidewalk cafes, and The Hideaway, which aims for a European beach club aesthetic. There's also The Suite Neighborhood, Surfside, Thrill Island, Chill Island, The Royal Promenade, and the Aquadome.

The ship's 2,350 crew members will also get their own neighborhood, complete with amenities like a gaming room and hair salon.

Another superlative for Icon will be sporting the largest waterpark at sea. The park, called Category 6, features six different record-breaking waterslides, including the tallest onboard waterslide. There will also be a free-fall slide, plus a raft-style slide for four passengers to ride together.

Stacey Lastoe

Tonya Russell

Laura Kiniry

Nora Zelevansky

Seven pools and nine whirlpools will be located throughout the ship, including the first infinity pool on a cruise ship to be suspended in the air. The Royal Bay pool, located on the 15th deck, will break the record for largest pool at sea, holding an astounding 40,000 gallons of water.

Across the towering vessel, there'll be more than 20 food venues and 15 bars and nightlife experiences, including a sweeping three-level main dining room.

Among the options for grabbing a drink will be the line's first onboard swim-up bar, a walk-up Champagne bar, and a bar specializing in coffee cocktails like espresso martinis.

On the entertainment front, Royal Caribbean has hired 75 performers to titillate guests across three cavernous theaters. The Absolute Zero ice arena will feature shows with Olympic-level skaters, while the AquaTheater will combine the talents of divers, robots, and skateboarders.

In the Royal Theater, a 16-piece orchestra (the largest one at sea), will accompany shows like the Wizard of Oz.

In smaller venues throughout the ship, like the dueling piano bar, 50 live musicians and comedians will perform each night, making it possible for every type of passenger to find something that fits their style.

The World’s Largest Cruise Ship Is Nearly 1,200 Feet Long

Scheduled to debut in January, the vessel can accommodate 5,600 guests and 2,350 crew members

Daily Correspondent

The world’s largest cruise ship is almost ready to set sail.

Royal Caribbean’s massive new ship, Icon of the Seas , passed its inaugural round of sea trials with flying colors, bringing it one step closer to hitting the open ocean with passengers, the cruise line  announced late last month. If all goes as planned, the record-breaking vessel will begin sailing in the Caribbean in January 2024.

Just how big is Icon of the Seas ? Really big. As Jalopnik ’s Ryan Erik King writes, it’s the size of five Titantics. More specifically, Icon of the Seas measures 1,198 feet long—nearly a quarter of a mile—and has a gross tonnage of 250,800. All that space means it can accommodate 5,600 guests and 2,350 crew members.

The cruise line is positioning the vessel as “the ultimate family vacation,” as CEO Michael Bayley told reporters earlier this year, per  CNN ’s Maureen O’Hare.

“When you step back and look at all the energy and time that has gone into creating this ship, it is mind-blowing,” he added.

The previous world’s largest cruise ship was also a Royal Caribbean vessel, Wonder of the Seas , which spanned 1,188 feet long and featured 18 decks.

Crews in Turku, Finland, began work on Icon of the Seas in 2021. Last month, the vessel sailed the open ocean for the first time, as staffers spent four days testing the main engines, hull, brakes, steering system and other components. They also measured noise and vibration levels. 

The vessel will undergo another round of sea trials later this year before officially launching in Miami early next year, according to Royal Caribbean. Icon of the Seas will primarily take cruisers to the islands of the eastern and western Caribbean on seven-night itineraries.

With progress on Icon of the Seas moving along, Royal Caribbean has already started building another large “icon class” ship. The cruise line expects that unnamed vessel to launch in 2025, per a  statement .

Icon of the Seas has 20 total decks, 7 swimming pools and 8 “neighborhoods,” or distinct areas with entertainment and dining. Another noteworthy feature is Category 6, which will be the largest waterpark at sea when Icon of the Seas sets sail.

The ship will be equipped with a special grooming robot that will clean the hull whenever it’s in port to help reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency by 3 to 4 percent, reports  TTG Media ’s Charlotte Cullinan.

Icon of the Seas will also be the first ship in the cruise line’s fleet to run on liquefied natural gas and  fuel cells , which are similar to batteries but do not need to be recharged. Water is the main byproduct of fuel cells—which combine oxygen and hydrogen to produce energy—which should help the ship reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

Liquefied natural gas , meanwhile, is a controversial energy source that involves cooling natural gas to a liquid state to make it easier to transport. The liquid version is “actually worse than ordinary gas,” writes the  Natural Resources Defense Council . “The energy required to chill, ship and regasify the fossil fuel makes it far more carbon-intensive and increases the potential for leakage of dangerous methane,” according to the organization.

Royal Caribbean’s leaders say they view liquified natural gas as a “ transitional fue l,” and that they hope to continue to  reduce the environmental impact of their ships moving forward. 

"[Liquefied natural gas] is about 20-30 percent better for the environment [than heavy fuel oil], but it’s still not going to be the solution,” Bayley tells TTG Media . “We don’t know the answer, but the whole industry is working towards the answer.”

Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.

Sarah Kuta | READ MORE

Sarah Kuta is a writer and editor based in Longmont, Colorado. She covers history, science, travel, food and beverage, sustainability, economics and other topics.

World’s new largest cruise ship Icon of the Seas sails in Finland

Thomas Bywater

Share this article

At over 250,000 Gross tonnage, Icon of the Seas is the world's largest cruise ship. Photo / Supplied, Royal Caribbean

Are we ever going to need a bigger boat? The world has a new largest cruise ship , and her name is Icon of the Seas.

The Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines vessel was sailed for the first time in inaugural sea trials, close to the Meyer Turku Shipyard in Finland, where she was built.

Completing four days of at-sea testing, the Icon was put through her paces last week, with key systems, engines and hull tested under the strains of 250,800 gross tonnage.

Operators Royal Caribbean report that the preliminary tests have been a success. However, to say all was “ship shape” would be inaccurate. The Icon is the shape of a small city.

Spread across 20 decks and 365 metres long, fully weighted, she will carry up to 7600 guests when she sails into Miami at the end of the year. At the prow an impressive 25-metre-tall glass structure - the ‘Aquadome’ - containing the tallest ‘waterfall at sea’. As possibly the only waterfall at sea, that didn’t stop them from reaching for the stars.

The ship is so large the builders refer to each section of the Icon as “neighbourhoods”, of which there are eight. This includes ‘Central Park’ - a landscaped, green space in the central cavity of the ship - furthering comparisons to a city at sea . Throughout these districts are a choice of 40 different diners and restaurants.

She is around five times the size of the Titanic. Her required crew alone is more than the famous liner - with a combined total of 2350 workers.

The Finnish shipyard first floated the enormous vessel in January this year, but this is the first time Icon has been out to open water.

“Icon of the Seas is the culmination of more than 50 years of delivering memorable experiences and our next bold commitment to those who love to vacation,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, earlier this year.

During the trials, last week, she was operated by a team of just 450 specialists and four enormous tugboats. Royal Caribbean says these were the preliminary tests with a second set of sea trials scheduled that “will push Icon to its limits later this year”.

The Icon will be joined by a sister ship Utopia of the Seas, which is scheduled to go into service later next year. However, at a projected 236,860 Gross Tons for the second Oasis-class ship, the Icon still clinches the record as the world’s largest cruise ship.

Latest from Travel

On holiday in the ‘unhappiest’ place in Europe

It's not conventional to holiday in Bulgaria, but it's not overrun with tourists either.

The exact number of items to pack for a weekend getaway

Why air travel can cause bloating

Not convinced you're a 'cruiser'? There's an easy way to find out

Me Today set for bright tomorrows

Oasis of the Seas

Oasis of the Seas is the lead ship in the Oasis Class. It was constructed by MEYER TURKU in Finland and delivered to Royal Caribbean in October 2009. The luxury liner is still considered one of the largest cruise ships in the world alongside its sister ship, Allure of the Seas.

When Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas were completed, they became the largest and most expensive cruise ships ever built, measuring around 360 metres in length, rising 16 decks into the skies and accommodating almost 6,300 passengers. Apart from their impressive size, the ocean liners also stood out with a huge selection of highlights, such as the Royal Promenade for expansive shopping experiences, an ice rink, three-dimensional climbing walls and a zip wire. They also feature the “Flowrider” surfing simulator and a water park designed in the style of a beach. The luxury liners in the Oasis Class also became the first ever cruise ships with an on-board carousel and park – the “Central Park” on the top deck even features real plants and trees.

The Oasis Class was followed by the Quantum Class, which was constructed by MEYER WERFT in Papenburg from 2014 onwards.

• Advertising
• Shipbuilding
• Coastal/Inland
• Law & Regulations

Video: World's Largest Cruise Ship Taking Shape in Finland

Eric Haun , Editor

Eric Haun is editor of Marine News. He has covered the commercial maritime and...

May 12, 2023

Icon of the Seas (Photo: Royal Caribbean)

Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas—the world's largest cruise ship—is taking shape at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland.

The 250,800 GT vessel, the first in Royal Caribbean's new Icon-class, has been under construction since June 2022. The fully assembled ship was floated out in December and is now undergoing final outfitting ahead of scheduled delivery in October or November 2023.

First announced in 2016, the 1,198-foot-long Icon of the Seas will have 20 decks (including 18 guest decks) and will be bigger than the world's current largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class Allure of the Seas. With 2,805 staterooms, the ship will be able to carry 5,610 passengers at double occupancy, or up to 7,600 passengers if every cabin is maxed out. It will have capacity for a crew of 2,350.

In addition to being the world's largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas will also be Royal Caribbean's most environmentally friendly. The vessel will run on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and utilize fuel cell technology. Other notable green features include air lubrication to reduce hull friction, shore power connection and an advanced waste heat recovery system to turn waste heat into up to 3 megawatts of extra energy.

The ship will also feature the largest waterpark at sea, with six record-breaking slides, as well as nine whirlpools and seven pools on board, including the first suspended infinity pool at sea. The vessel will have eight distinct "neighborhoods" that offer a variety of experience options for passengers.

Icon of the Seas will sail from Miami starting in January 2024, offering both Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings.

Related News

Salvage crews work to lift first piece of collapsed baltimore bridge.

Salvage crews worked to lift the first piece of Baltimore's collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge from the water on Saturday…

Great Lakes Freighter Strikes Channel Light on St. Marys River

A portion of the St. Marys River has been closed to vessel traffic after a U.S.-flagged Great Lakes freighter struck a channel…

Constant Port Attacks Slowing Ukraine's Farm Exports

Constant attacks on Ukrainian Black Sea ports by Russian drones and missiles are leading to a slowdown in Ukraine's maritime agricultural exports…

Insurers Brace for Multibillion Dollar Losses After Baltimore Ship Tragedy

Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse could cost insurers several billions of dollars in claims, sources say, but it is too early to calculate

Sponsored Content

Streamline sire 2.0 transition with abs wavesight™ nautical systems.

As the maritime industry transitions to the updated SIRE 2.0 inspection regime from the familiar SIRE VIQ7 framework, operators are bracing themselves for a period of adjustment.

Earn amazing income and flexibility with MSC.

For any job seeker, what they will earn is one of the most important factors. Some organizations list hourly rates, while others list day rates- there are countless ways to see what you will earn in

EverClean - the next evolution in antifouling

Greensea IQ’s answer to biofouling delivers better performance through always clean hulls

First Officer

Chief steward, yeoman storekeeper, first officer - mixed work schedule, damage control leader.

Insights: Cherrie Felder

A New Era of Flexibility for Water Injection Dredging

Subscribe for Maritime Reporter E-News

Maritime Reporter E-News is the maritime industry's largest circulation and most authoritative ENews Service, delivered to your Email five times per week

• Southeast Asia
• North America
• Central & South America
• Australia & South Pacific
• Middle-East
• Solo Travel
• Zodiac Travels
• Wellness & Spas
• Family Travel
• The Conscious Traveller
• Accessories
• Points and Miles
• Manushi Chhillar
• Quick Style
• Rajkummar Rao
• Chefs Himanshu Saini & Neha Mishra
• Poorna Jagannathan
• Guru Randhawa
• Edition 2023-24
• Edition 2022-23
• Edition 2021-22
• T+L Experiences
• Web Stories

In Pictures: The World's Largest Cruise Ship Sets Sail

The world's largest cruise ship named 'icon of the seas' is out to test the waters after its construction at a shipyard in finland..

By: Anushka Goel Published: Jun 28, 2023 04:00 PM IST

The world’s largest cruise ship has completed its maiden test run after its construction at a shipyard in Finland.

Owned by Royal Caribbean International, the vessel is named Icon of the Seas . It is 365 metres long and weighs a massive 2,50,800 tonnes approximately. Once all the trials are done, the luxury ship will sail in January 2024 to explore the seas and let guests enjoy world-class amenities and fun activities.

Here are some glimpses of the world’s largest cruise ship

[gallery size=”full” ids=”206523,206525,206527,206529,206531,206533,206535,206537,206539,206541,206543,206545,206547″]

All we know about  Icon of the Seas

The carrier can hold around 5,610 passengers and 2,350 crew members comfortably. Additionally, the vessel’s centre of attraction is the world’s largest waterpark on the sea, which is to have six record-breaking water slides. For guests who want a more relaxed experience, the ship has seven pools and nine whirlpools onboard.

Related Stories

Plan Your Summer Itinerary Inspired By The Locations Of Cruise 2024

This New 140-day Luxury Cruise Sails To 37 Countries Around The World

Interestingly, the current largest cruise ship in the world is another Royal Caribbean International carrier called Wonder of the Seas . It went on its first sea voyage in 2022 and has 18 decks to explore. Icons of the Sea , on the other hand, has 20 decks and eight neighbourhoods. According to a press release by the company, the ship completed its first set of sea trials on June 22.

Icons of the Sea will also have unique culinary and entertainment offerings, according to the website. And many of these are to be included in the cruise’s fare. Also, the cruise ship, which is meant for the entire family, will have spaces dedicated to children as well as adults-only spaces and pools to ensure that everyone on the ship has a place to unwind.

It is offering seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean vacations from Miami throughout the year, bookings for which can be made here .

Hero and Featured Image credit: Royal Caribbean International)

Related: This Luxury Cruise Line Just Added 164 New Itineraries — Including A 54-Night World Cruise

• Cruise Line
• Royal Caribbean
• travel news
• world's largest cruise ship

Anushka Goel

Anushka has previously worked with publications such as the Times of India and Being Indian. A graduate from Xavier Institute of Communications, she specialises in entertainment, food and travel. She also likes to write about sustainability and beauty. When not working, you can catch her reading a book, tending to her plants, cooking or playing an instrument. Read Less

10 Best Greece Cruises, According To Travel Experts

By Lauren Dana Ellman

10 Best Alaska Cruises To Take This Summer, According To Experts

This Cruise Line Just Announced More Than 300 New Voyages — With A 116-Night Cruise Around The World

By Stefanie Waldek

This 45-Day Round-Trip Transatlantic Cruise Retraces A Voyage From 1925

This New, Once-In-A-lifetime Cruise Sails Along The Incredible Coast Of West Africa

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon

The World's Largest Cruise Ship Just Started Sailing

This 13-Day Greenland Cruise Is The Best Way To See The 2026 Total Solar Eclipse

By Rachel Chang

This Luxury Tour Company Is Raising The Bar On Egyptian Cruises With A New Nile Riverboat

7 Luxurious Yacht Charters You Can Experience In Thailand

By Olivia Michel

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest on travel, stay & dining.

You’re all set

Thank you for your subscription.

World’s Largest Cruise Ship Begins Sea Trials Ahead Of 2024 Launch

Redefining cruises on an epic scale.

Image: Royal Caribbean

The world of luxury cruising is about to witness a groundbreaking addition as the construction of the largest cruise ship ever built, Icon of the Seas , reaches completion at a shipyard in Finland. This mammoth vessel — spanning a staggering 365 meters (nearly 1,200 feet) — has recently embarked on its maiden voyage for sea trials, paving the way for its long-awaited delivery in October of this year.

Cruise ships are pretty impressive vessels: they can pull off three-point turns in Sydney Harbour , play home to a luxurious new Rolex boutique , and — for the more morbid among you — even provide ad-hoc body storage when more tailor made containers prove hard to find. Few vessels, however, are anywhere near as impressive as this new flagship vessel from Royal Caribbean, which has finally left its shipyard home and hit the high seas for a long-overdue trial.

After years of bubbling anticipation, Royal Caribbean has proudly revealed Icon Of The Seas to the wider world. A marvel of nautical engineering — weighing in at a projected 250,800 tonnes and dwarfing iconic buildings like the CN towers — the vessel is set to embark on its inaugural Caribbean voyage in January 2024. This veritable floating wonderland will accommodate around 5,610 passengers and a staggering 2,350 crew members to fulfil their every need.

Highlights aboard the new ship include a Category 6 waterpark — the largest of its kind at sea — complete with six record-breaking water slides. If you prefer your pools a little more relaxation oriented, there are a total of seven pools and nine bubbling whirlpools to choose from.

WATCH: Take a tour around the game-changing vessel.

Built at renowned European shipyard Meyer Turku in Finland, the vessel’s virtues were extolled by Royal Caribbean International president and chief executive, Michael Bayley, who expressed his excitement during an on-site press panel, confirming that the vessel is on track to join the Royal Caribbean fleet in October this year before its public debut in 2024:

“We are positioning it as the ultimate family vacation, and when you step back and look at all the energy and time that has gone into creating this ship, it is mind-blowing.” Michael Bayley , Royal Caribbean International President and Chief Executive

Royal Caribbean is positioning Icon of the Seas as the next step in a long evolutionary journey, incorporating the latest technology and drawing on fifty years of industry expertise, as well as explicitly eclipsing the world’s current largest cruise vessel, Royal Caribbean’s very own Wonder of the Seas , which hit the water last year and measures a comparatively meagre 1,188 feet in length with 18 decks.

The Icon recently completed its first round of sea trials which involved extensive testing of the vessel’s main engines, hull, brake systems, steering, noise, and vibration levels. Other than a slight delay in departure due to adverse wind conditions, the trials have been reported as a resounding success. With eight distinct “neighbourhoods” on board, the vessel aims to cater to every kind of holidaymaker, as embodied by the more than forty options for food and drink onboard.

The vessel also boasts adult-only venues, including a glamorous piano bar, in case you’ve found the jam-packed waterpark a little overwhelming during the day. In line with its promise to provide for all types of people while offering them the chance to keep each other at arm’s length, the ship offers twenty-eight different types of accommodation that cater to families, couples, solo, and group travellers alike.

The Icon of the Seas has also been designed to embody Royal Caribbean’s reported commitment to eco-friendly travel. The company’s first ship powered by more-but-still-not-entirely sustainable liquid natural gas (LNG) and cutting-edge fuel cell technology, the ship’s assembly required over 2,600 dedicated engineers every single day, while the four-day trails demanded the attention of hundreds of specialists.

Royal Caribbean has already witnessed record-breaking advance sales, with Bayley describing it candidly as “literally the best-performing new product launch we’ve ever had” during the company’s quarterly financial results. Commencing its seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages from Miami, the Icon promises every trip to include a visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay — Royal Caribbean’s acclaimed private island destination — along with its new expansion, Hideaway Beach.

As Icon of the Seas prepares to set sail on its maiden voyage, it’s ready to make waves and redefine luxury cruising on an epic scale. Rest assured, this travel writer is always available for on-site reviews.

• Entertainment
• About DMARGE
• Editorial Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Affiliate Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• In The Media
• Corrections Policy
• Fact-Checking

Get the latest breaking news and original content across sport, entertainment, luxury and travel.

The top 10 biggest cruise ships in the world

M odern cruise ships continue to grow in size, with the biggest cruise ship, the Icon of the Seas , launching at the start of this year, and her sister ship the Star of the Seas expected to surpass her in size.

Both of these ships are operated by Royal Caribbean International, which operates five of the ten largest cruise ships in the world. Carnival Corporation, arguably the biggest cruise company in the world, features three times on the list through its subsidiaries P&O Cruises and Costa Cruises.

All of the heaviest cruise ships in the world were built within the last 20 years, although the majority – six of the ten – were built within the last five years.

So, here are the top ten biggest cruise ships in the world, by gross tonnage. 

10. P&O Cruises MS Arvia : 185,581 gross tonnes

The MS Arvia is P&O Cruises’ fourth ship to be built by German shipyard Meyer Werft. Weighing in at 185,581 gross tonnes, the 345m (1,130-foot) Arvia is slightly larger than her sister ship, the MS Iona . The 20-deck ship is the largest ship commissioned for the British cruise market and has a maximum passenger capacity of 6,264 passengers, with 1,800 crew onboard. 

The ship is the second liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered Excellence-class vessel for P&O, following the Iona . Arvia is powered by a 61,760kW LNG drive system, with a propulsion power of 37 megawatts. The LNG-powered propulsion system allows the vessel to sail at a maximum speed of 21.5 knots.

After being floated out in August 2022, the Arvia mainly operates itineraries around the Caribbean or the Mediterranean.

9. Costa Cruises – Costa Smeralda : 185,010 gross tonnes

The Costa Smeralda is the first LNG-powered vessel in the Costa Cruises fleet. With a gross tonnage of 185,010gt, the 20-deck Excellence-class ship measures 337m (1,106 feet) in length. The second LNG-powered cruise ship to enter operation in the world, she has a maximum capacity of 6,554 passengers with 1,646 crew and a service speed of 21.5 knots.

Construction of the Costa Smeralda began at the Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland, in September 2017. Meyer Turku collaborated with the Meyer Werft Papenburg shipyard to develop and integrate the LNG propulsion plant for the ship. She is fitted with four 16-cylinder, Caterpillar MaK 16VM46DF engines, with 15.4 megawatts (20,710 horsepower) output per engine, resulting in a maximum power of  37 megawatts (50,000 horsepower).

The ship, which was named after the Emerald Coast of Sardinia, entered service in December 2019 , departing Savona on its maiden voyage in the Mediterranean, where it has sailed since.

8. Costa Cruises – Costa Toscana : 186,364 gross tonnes

The Costa Toscana is the sister ship of the Costa Smeralda and is also powered by LNG . measuring 337m (1,106 feet) long and weighing in at 186,364 gross tonnes, the Toscana has a maximum capacity of 6,338 passengers and 1,678 staff across her 20 decks.

Like her sister ship, the Toscana was also built at the Meyer shipyard in Finland, with construction completed in 2021. She is also powered by four MaK-Caterpillar engines, with a total power of 57.2 megawatts (76,706 horsepower), and two ABB Azipod motors , resulting in a service speed of 17 knots.

Named in homage to the Tuscany region of Italy, Costa Toscana mainly sails around the Mediterranean Sea but Costa Cruises has also used the ship to sail itineraries further afield, such as around Brazil and the UAE.

7. MSC Cruises – MSC World Europa : 215,863 gross tonnes

The only entry in the top ten from MSC Cruises, MSC World Europa measures 333m (1,094 feet) in length. With 215,863 gross tonnage, she can house more people than any other ship in the MSC fleet: up to 6,762 passengers across 2,633 cabins spread over 22 decks, in addition to 2,138 crew.

Built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, France, the World Europa ’s LNG-power propulsion system was subcontracted to Finland-based Wärtsilä. Five LNG-powered, 14-cylinder Wartsila 46DF dual-fuel engines power the vessel, with a propulsion power of 44 megawatts ( 59,005 horsepower). She also features nitrogen oxide reduction (NOR) units, two Wartsila LNGPac fuel storage and supply systems, seven thrusters, and two fixed-pitch propellers. 

The MSC World Europa was floated out at the end of 2021 and was initially used as an accommodation vessel for fans attending the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with the ship berthed at Doha Port in Qatar during the tournament. Following the competition, the ship subsequently travelled several routes around the UAE, before sailing to the Mediterranean, where it has sailed itineraries since.

6. Royal Caribbean International – Allure of the Seas : 225,282 gross tonnes

The first of many entries on this list operated by Royal Caribbean, Allure of the Seas weighs in at 225,282 gross tonnes. Measuring 362m (1,187 feet), she is only 50mm (2 inches) longer than her sister ship the Oasis of the Seas . The Allure has a maximum capacity of 6,780 passengers and 2,200 crew across 18 decks.

Built at the Turku Shipyard in Finland, the Allure took two years to build , floating out in 2010. She features six Wärtsilä 46 diesel engines with a total power output of 97 megawatts (130,053 horsepower). It is propelled by three electric Azipod azimuth thrusters. The ship can travel at a cruising speed of 22 knots.

With a homeport of Galveston, Texas in the US, the Allure mainly serves itineraries around the Bahamas but she is scheduled to sail routes around the Mediterranean in 2025.

5. Royal Caribbean International – Oasis of the Seas : 226,838 gross tonnes

The oldest ship on this list, the Oasis of the Seas has been in service for over a decade. She was the biggest cruise ship at the time when floated out in 2009, with a gross tonnage of 226,838gt and a length of 360m (1,181 feet). The Oasis has a maximum capacity of 6,699 passengers and 2,181 staff across 18 decks.

The Oasis took two years to build at the Meyer shipyard in Turku, Finland, with the keel laid on 12 November 2007 and the ship arriving at her homeport of Port Everglades in Florida, US, on 13 November 2009.

The Oasis is powered by eight Wärtsilä V12 diesel engines, which generate 5.6 megawatts (7,500 horsepower) each, alongside four bow thrusters. The main propulsion system consists of three 20-megawatt (26,820 horsepower) electric Azipod motors, resulting in a combined propulsion power of 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower) and a standard cruising speed of 23 knots.

The Oasis mainly operates routes around the Caribbean, but occasionally repositions to offer itineraries in the Mediterranean.

4. Royal Caribbean International – Harmony of the Seas : 226,963 gross tonnes

The third Oasis-class ship built by Royal Caribbean, Harmony of the Seas weighed in bigger than her existing sister ships at launch in 2016, with 226,963 gross tonnage, but she has since been surpassed by newer vessels. With a total length of 362m (1,188 feet), Harmony has a maximum capacity of 6,780 passengers and 2,300 staff across 18 decks.

Royal Caribbean placed an order with STX France for the construction of Harmony of the Seas in December 2012. The first steel for the ship was cut at STX France’s Saint-Nazaire shipyard in September 2013, while the keel-laying ceremony was held in May 2014.

The Harmony is powered by three 18.9-megawatt Wärtsilä 16V46 16-cylinder main generator diesel engines and three Wärtsilä 12V46 12-cylinder engines producing 13.9 megawatts each. The propulsion power is provided by three electric Azipod azimuth thrusters and manoeuvring is assisted by four 5.5-megawatt Wärtsilä CT 3500 tunnel thrusters. The propulsion system results in 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower) and enables the ship to sail at a standard speed of 23 knots.

Harmony of the Seas embarked on her inaugural seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise from Barcelona, Spain, in June 2016, and currently operates itineraries around the Western Caribbean from her homeport of Galveston, Texas in the US.

3. Royal Caribbean International – Symphony of the Seas : 228,081 gross tonnes

At launch in 2018, the Symphony of the Seas surpassed the Harmony as the biggest cruise ship, weighing in at 228,081 gross tonnes. Measuring 361m (1,185 feet), the Symphony has a maximum capacity of 6,680 passengers and 2,200 staff across 18 decks and was the testing ground for Royal Caribbean's new muster drill . With a total length of 361m (1,185 feet), She is roughly 30 metres (98 feet) longer than the largest military ships , the US Nimitz-class aircraft carriers and the USS Gerald R. Ford .

The keel-laying ceremony for the Symphony of the Seas was held in October 2015 at STX’s Saint-Nazaire shipyard in France, and the ship sailed out in June 2017. She is powered by six diesel sets, each composed of three Wärtsilä 16V46D engines and three Wärtsilä 12V46D engines, as well as three 20-megawatt electric Azipod main engines – resulting in 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower) of propulsion power and a standard cruising speed of 22 knots.

The Symphony commenced her seven-day maiden voyage from Barcelona in April 2018, and since then has mainly operated itineraries around the Caribbean from her homeports of Miami, New York, and Fort Lauderdale.

2. Royal Caribbean International – Wonder of the Seas : 235,600 gross tonnes

Royal Caribbean's flagship, Wonder of the Seas is the fifth Oasis-class cruise ship built for the cruise company. Weighing in at 235,600 gross tonnes, the Wonder was the largest ship in the world when she was completed in January 2022. Measuring 362m (1,187 feet) in length, the 18-deck Wonder has a maximum capacity of 7,084 guests across its 2,867 staterooms, as well as housing 2,369 crew.

Built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint-Nazaire, Wonder is powered by two Wärtsilä 16V46D engines and four Wärtsilä 12V46D engines; and uses three 20-megawatt electric Azipod engines for propulsion, combining for a propulsion power of 82 megawatts (109,964 horsepower and a standard cruising speed of 22 knots.

The Wonder sailed her maiden voyage in March 2022 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and has since served itineraries around the Caribbean from her homeports of Miami and Cape Canaveral.

1. Royal Caribbean International – Icon of the Seas : 248,663 gross tonnes

Weighing 248,663 gross tonnes and measuring 365 metres (1,1967 feet), the Icon of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world. Christened on 23 January 2024, the Icon has a maximum capacity of 7,600 passengers and 2,350 crew across 20 decks. She is the lead ship of the new Icon-class, with a sister ship the Star of the Seas due to be delivered in 2025 and another ship planned for delivery in 2026.

Built by Meyer Turku in Finland, the Icon is the first ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet that can be powered by LNG. It uses three Wärtsilä 14V46DF and three Wärtsilä 12V46DF for its main generator engines, which provide 67.5 megawatts of energy to run the ship. She is propelled by three 20-megawatt Azipod thrusters as well as five 4.8-megawatt Wärtsilä WTT-45 CP bow thrusters, with a cruising speed of 22 knots.

After sailing her maiden voyage on 27 January 2024, the Icon now sails year-round itineraries of seven-night trips around the Eastern and Western Caribbean from her homeport of Miami, Florida.

"The top 10 biggest cruise ships in the world" was originally created and published by Ship Technology , a GlobalData owned brand.

The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies for distribution to your colleagues, clients or customers visit http://www.djreprints.com.

https://www.barrons.com/news/world-s-largest-cruise-ship-nears-completion-in-finland-c0bbc015

• FROM AFP NEWS

World's Largest Cruise Ship Nears Completion In Finland

• Order Reprints
• Print Article

In Finland’s Turku shipyard, a luxurious cruise ship known as The Icon of the Seas is nearing its maiden voyage. The vessel commissioned by Royal Caribbean is intended to sail the scenic waters of the Caribbean Sea, docking in Miami.

World's Largest Cruise Ship Nears Completion In Finland

In Finland’s Turku shipyard, a luxurious cruise ship known as The Icon of the Seas is nearing its maiden voyage.

An error has occurred, please try again later.

This article has been sent to

• Cryptocurrencies
• Stock Picks
• Barron's Live
• Barron's Stock Screen
• Personal Finance
• Advisor Directory

Memberships

• Subscribe to Barron's
• Saved Articles
• Newsletters
• Video Center

Customer Service

• Customer Center
• The Wall Street Journal
• MarketWatch
• Investor's Business Daily
• Mansion Global
• Financial News London

For Business

• Corporate Subscriptions

For Education

• Investing in Education

For Advertisers

• Press & Media Inquiries
• Advertising
• Subscriber Benefits
• Manage Notifications
• Manage Alerts

About Barron's

• Live Events

Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved

This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. Distribution and use of this material are governed by our Subscriber Agreement and by copyright law. For non-personal use or to order multiple copies, please contact Dow Jones Reprints at 1-800-843-0008 or visit www.djreprints.com.

• Latest News
• Emergencies
• Ask the Law
• GN Fun Drive
• Visa+Immigration
• Phone+Internet
• Reader Queries
• Safety+Security
• Banking & Insurance
• Dubai Airshow
• Corporate Tax
• Top Destinations
• Corporate News
• Electronics
• Home and Kitchen
• Consumables
• Saving and Investment
• Budget Living
• Expert Columns
• Community Tips
• Cryptocurrency
• Cooking and Cuisines
• Guide to Cooking
• Art & People
• Friday Partner
• Daily Crossword
• Word Search
• Philippines
• Australia-New Zealand
• Corrections
• From the Editors
• Special Reports
• Pregnancy & Baby
• Learning & Play
• Child Health
• For Mums & Dads
• UAE Success Stories
• Live the Luxury
• Culture and History
• Staying Connected
• Entertainment
• Live Scores
• Point Table
• Top Scorers
• Photos & Videos
• Course Reviews
• Learn to Play
• South Indian
• Arab Celebs
• Health+Fitness
• Gitex Global 2023
• Best Of Bollywood
• Special Features
• Investing in the Future
• Know Plan Go
• Gratuity Calculator
• Notifications
• Prayer Times

Photos: Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas, world's largest cruise ship, sets sail

Photos business.

The ship, built over 900 days at a shipyard in Turku, Finland, is a monument to enormity

Look: Faithful fill Prophet's Mosque for Tarawih prayer

Photos: Chocolate prices rise as cocoa crisis deepens

Bangkok motor show: Chinese EV makers take centre stage

First Look: BMW unveils new concept electric SUV

Holi 2024: India celebrates festival of colours

Look: Top 8 crypto personalities linked to fraud cases

Milia versus pimples: what’s the difference, free screenings in month-long autism awareness drive, inside the sets of a bollywood movie set in jordan, watch: hailstorm wreaks havoc in saudi arabia, unveiled sharjah's al hefaiyah lake awaits.

Get Breaking News Alerts From Gulf News

We’ll send you latest news updates through the day. You can manage them any time by clicking on the notification icon.

Where Are Cruise Ships Built?

Have you ever wondered, "Where are cruise ships built?" Cruise ships are built in shipyards. The world's mammoth vessels (and their smaller brethren) all start their lives at these industrial facilities, which, understandably, are located in port cities along rivers or near the sea.

What Is a Shipyard?

What is a shipyard, exactly? Unlike a dockyard, where ships are more often stored or repaired, a shipyard is where ships and boats are initially built. It is a construction site with large cranes to position each part of the ship into place and machinery to prepare and secure the hull before floating it in the water for the first time . At a shipyard, you will find dry docks , painting facilities, equipment to weld portions of the ship together and slipways that allow for completed portions to be floated in the water.

The ships are not built entirely on site, however; certain pieces are built off-site and brought to the shipyard to be added to the growing vessel. For example, while the shipyard constructs the hull of a cruise ship, modular passenger cabins are being produced elsewhere before being trucked to the shipyard and plugged into the overall design like building blocks.

The watertight hull first takes shape on land before the rest of the ship's pieces and parts are placed atop it. To verify the hull's structure, dams unleash torrents of water in a controlled factory-test environment before the entire ship is eventually pushed into a real body of water.

Largest Shipyards in the World

Behemoth shipyards are responsible for manufacturing many of the world's great ocean liners and cruise ships. The largest shipyards in the world include Fincantieri in Italy, Meyer Werft in Germany, STX Europe with locations in Finland and France, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan and Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea -- but not all of those build cruise ships.

Ships, like airplanes, are not built by the brands that operate them, but rather by manufacturers that specialize in the process and invest in the necessary equipment needed for their construction. Cruise lines contract with the various shipyards, often years in advance. Once the work begins, it can take as long as a year and a half to complete the entire shipbuilding process.

The biggest shipyard in the world is Hyundai Heavy Industries in South Korea, which is responsible for building industrial models like container ships, oil tankers and naval vessels. STX Europe, Meyer Werft and Fincantieri are the main builders of cruise ships.

STX Europe is responsible for Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas, which was built in Finland, while Celebrity Edge and Cunard's Queen Mary 2 were built at the STX shipyard in France. Norwegian Bliss was born at Meyer Werft's German shipyard, and Fincantieri is responsible for all of the Viking Ocean ships.

© 1995— 2024 , The Independent Traveler, Inc.

• Weird But True
• Sex & Relationships
• Viral Trends
• Human Interest
• Fashion & Beauty
• Food & Drink

trending now in Lifestyle

Dear Abby: Our neighbors keep on copying whatever we do

Van-lifers reveal the most difficult challenges of roving...

Meet the Whittakers: 'America's most inbred family' that speaks...

Couple discovers secret room behind bookcase in home they've...

Mom stunned to give birth to twins 22 days apart: 'Genuinely...

Content creator stunned to learn $15 Goodwill dress has...

Trump ordered $200 worth of burgers from Long Island drive-in for...

I'm an ex-cruise ship worker — here's the shocking reason we...

Inside icon of the seas, the world’s largest cruise ship.

• View Author Archive
• Get author RSS feed

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

They like big boats and they cannot lie.

For many of the first passengers on the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas, the onboard reality of the $2 billion behemoth lived up to the over-the-top hype.

During back-to-back preview sailings from the Port of Miami in late January, travel agents, special guests, members of the media and selfie-snapping influencers giddily explored as much as they could of the 20-story floating city that boasts eight distinct neighborhoods — and can hold nearly 10,000 passengers and crew at full capacity.

As they ate and drank across the ship a shared sentiment formed: Big is indeed beautiful.

“I think it’s definitely a game-changer,” said Tywana Minor, founder of Live Travel Go, a boutique travel agency based in Atlanta. “You can literally be on the ship for a few days and still not even experience everything.”

The first bunch on board explored the myriad offerings with a sort of collective awe. Couples clinked flutes of champagne at the walk-up Bubbles bar in the Central Park neighborhood, one of 40 bars and restaurants on board.

“You can literally be on the ship for a few days and still not even experience everything” Tywana Minor, founder of Live Travel Go

Adults giggled like nervous adolescents as they blasted down water slides with names like Frightening Bolt and Storm Surge in the 17,000-square-foot water park. Pint-sized passengers, meanwhile, found nirvana at Surfside, a family-centric area complete with a beach-themed carousel and wading pool.

A few lucky souls even had the good fortune to snag perhaps the most coveted reservation on the high seas: the 38-seat Empire Supper Club, an eight-course dinner complete with cocktail pairings and live jazz. The fine-dining experience, which costs $200 per person, is fully booked for the next few months.

But it wasn’t just Icon’s splashy main attractions wowing passengers: Surprises awaited around seemingly every corner of the 1,198-foot ship, including pop-up piano performances, magicians and a duo of donut-costumed employees at the breakfast buffet every morning pointing guests toward rows of sinks and reminding them to “washy washy before yummy yummy!”

For many passengers, adjusting to Icon’s staggering size — it’s nearly as long as four New York City blocks — presented a learning curve in itself. Even with signage everywhere, getting lost at some point was a given. Furthermore, the ship’s design — a vast open-air interior with elevators located forward and aft but not in the middle — almost guarantees that passengers will hit (or exceed) their daily step count.

“If you don’t like walking around a lot, this ship is not gonna be for you,” said Linda Miranda , a Newburgh, NY-based travel franchise owner with Cruise Planners.

As an antidote to the go-go-go vibe, Icon’s massive square footage also includes plenty of tranquil nooks and crannies ideal for kicking back and catching your breath: bed loungers overlooking the ocean; cornucopias of outdoor couches and chairs across various decks; and cozy, nest-like booths in the AquaDome, an area featuring a waterfall and wraparound ocean views.

“There are so many spaces that you’re not going to feel the 7,600 passengers it can hold fully occupied,” Miranda said.

To escape the sensory overload altogether, retreat to their staterooms. There are 28 room categories; the most basic accommodations are 157-square-foot interior plus cabins, with rates starting at $3,600 per week for two people.

Meanwhile, one-percenters can splash out with the three-story Ultimate Family Townhouse, which spoils eight guests with amenities like a private patio, outdoor hot tub, in-suite slide, cinema and popcorn machine, and kids’ room. The suite costs, on average, $100,000 per week.

So far, passengers are showing an insatiable appetite for Icon and its outsized experience. When the ship was first announced in October 2022, it broke records as the largest booking day and week in Royal Caribbean’s then 53-year history, according to the cruise line. And the remainder of 2024 sailings are almost sold out, a Royal Caribbean spokesperson confirmed.

But since Icon is the first of a new class of megaships by Royal Caribbean — two more are on the way, with Star of the Seas scheduled to debut in August 2025 — there’s plenty more big fun on the horizon. It’s a prospect that has the chubby chasers of the cruise community twitterpated.

“These news ships, I don’t know how they keep building them bigger and bigger,” said Howard Schildhouse — a retired accountant who writes about his travels on his blog, “ It Must Be Wanderlust ” — “but they do.”

Share this article:

Advertisement